Fever Dream (Emerald Lake, #1)(35)

I haul her around the corner and down the L-shaped hall into the tack room. As soon as I click the door shut behind us, I step back, away from her.

“Why the hell have you been staring at my dick all day?” I spit out.

She chuckles, standing tall and propping her hands on her hips. Something I’ve noticed she does a lot. A protective stance, possibly making her look more casual than she feels. Or she just needs something to do with her hands. That’s often why I cross my arms.

“For science, Brandt.”

I startle for a beat. I wasn’t expecting her to swap so seamlessly into using my preferred name. It’s more familiar than I like, and yet, I have no one to blame for that except myself and a moment of honest weakness.

My brows furrow. “Science?”

“Yeah. Don’t you remember? You told me that you’d get a boner for any woman bent over in front of you.”

I groan and tip my face up to the ceiling, regretting saying that all over again. Because I should have known Julia wouldn’t let it go. That she’d take it and run like a dog with a bone.

“But in a fascinating turn of events, I stood and watched you bend five different women over, and the front of those jeans didn’t bulge any more than usual.” She winks at me, and my jaw goes slack.

Which does nothing but draw an amused giggle from her. “So basically, the results of the experiment tell me that you, Emmett Brandt, are a big fat boner liar.” Her tone gleeful as she steps toward me and pats my shoulder. “It’s okay. This secret is safe with me too.”



* * *



I sit stiffly, preparing myself to crank up the charisma for the cameras.

After the first week of filming, I’m due for one-on-one time with a few of the women, according to production. The plan is for them to be led out to the love seat around the side of the bunkhouse, where Julia has staged an idyllic set for interviews. One by one, they’ll take a seat beside me, and we’ll have a supergenuine conversation in front of the camera.

Earlier today, they had me select a couple of daters for this segment. Richard picked a couple, too, because why wouldn’t he?

Teri leads the first woman out. My gaze lands on Cookie, and I’m kind of relieved, because she’s proven to be one of the most laid-back women in the group.

She’s freshened up since doing farm chores and is sporting wedge sandals and a pink-patterned halter dress that falls midthigh. A day in the sun has added a flush to her full cheeks, and there’s a happy bounce in her step as she approaches.

“All right, we’ve got Cookie here first.” Teri gives me a thumbs-up and backs away, drawing her fingers upward over her lips in a silent suggestion that I smile.

I force my lips up and say, “So tell me, because I’ve been dying to know… is your name actually Cookie?”

It’s awkward as hell, but to her credit, Cookie lets out a boisterous, genuine laugh that sets me at ease. “Yeah. I get that a lot. I love to bake, so my dad started calling me that, and it stuck.”

My lips twitch, because that’s actually kind of endearing, and Cookie has an easy, sunny way about her that I appreciate. Still, I’m not ready to use that term of endearment.

“So what’s your real name?”

“Kayla.”

“Can I call you Kayla?” I ask, because I don’t know if I can keep a straight face with the whole Cookie thing.

She slaps me playfully on the shoulder. “Oh, don’t be silly. Everyone calls me Cookie!”

I wince, but she breezes past it with her bubbly personality. We fall into conversation for several minutes, and I find it stress-free to talk to her. The camera doesn’t bother me as much as usual, and it’s only when Teri tells us that time is up that I register Julia’s presence.

Cookie departs with a quick hug right as Julia steps forward to hand me a bottle of water while the crew jumps into action preparing for the next woman.

Julia seizes the chance to taunt me when she whispers, “Imagine moaning Oh, Cookie.”

I shoot Julia a dirty look as I swipe the water bottle, only for her to close her eyes and make a soft moaning noise. “Yes, Cookie. Just like that, Cookie.”

My lips twitch as I try not to laugh. I shouldn’t laugh. But unfortunately for me, I find Julia Silva to be way funnier than I’d ever admit.



* * *



“Yeah, so I love murdery things.” Catherine sits across from me, looking ethereal in her flowing dress.

My brows jump in startled surprise. “Murder?”

“Ha! Like true crime. Podcasts, books, movies. I’m starting my own podcast delving into all the gory details of past cases. Possibly even tackling new ones.”

This woman looks too sweet to be into gory details. Golden hair, a sugary-sweet voice. I find the contrast funny and kind of relatable.

We spend our time talking about serial killers, and strangely I kind of dig it.



* * *



“My name is Madeline, but you don’t recognize me, do you?”

The woman with long, straight dark hair and matching thick brows smiles at me flirtatiously.

I rack my brain, trying to place her, but everything comes up blank.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t.”

“I went to school with your sister.”